Mole at Radation Site

Myopiawmn

Hi All,

Has anyone had a dark mole develop at the site of radiation?  I have had one develop and my surgeon doesn't like the looks of it so he is going to remove it tomorrow.  I've searched for radiation causing skin cancer but it looks like it usually doesn't show until years later.  I'm sure it is just a regular mole and he's being pro-active but I'm starting to stress out a little.  I'm also wondering what is involved with having it removed.

Thanks!

Sherryc

I asked my dermatologist about this and he said you see it more in women that have done alot of tanning beds.  He said that tanning beds are very destructive and that along with radiation gives you a cumulative effect and then you see more skin cancers.  He said typicall you will only see them in traditional sunbathers in the area that was not protected by a bathing suite. He did say it is rare but it does happen and we should all get yearly skin checks.

Myopiawmn

I only went to tanning beds a few times in my younger days but I have had my share of bad, blistering burns.  But this mole is not in area seen by the sun.  It's just a few inches from where my breast cancer was.  And believe me, there is no nude sunbathing going on with this body! 

cycle-path

A woman posted here recently that she'd developed squamous cell carcinoma after radiation, and that it's a rare SE. 

Hope60

I developed a large, flat, dark  mole on my breast during radiation.  My RO actually tried to convince me that it was there before rads.....like I would have missed it!!!  My BS wasn't too concerned but said he would remove it for me, because I was worried.  As it turned out, it started peeling off by itself once my skin started recovering from rads.  I've had other moles removed by the dermatologist....no biggy...they give you a little numbing injection and just take it off.  Doesn't hurt and takes 2 minutes.  Try not to stress....it's most likely nothing.

Myopiawmn

The mole has been taken off, now to wait for the results.....

I really don't think it's anything but you can't help having that little nagging voice in the back f your head saying "cancer, cancer, cancer". Stupid breast cancer, I never would have worried before......